Aryl boronic acids for treating obesity

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a phenyl boronic acid compound represented by Structural Formula (I): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
         Z and Z′ are independently —O—. —NH— or —S—.   X is an electron withdrawing group.   R is a substituted or unsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbyl group optionally comprising one or more amine, ammonium, ether, thioether or phenylene linking groups and Y is —H, an amine, —[NH—(CH 2 ) q ] r —NH 2 , halogen, —CF 3 , thiol, ammonium, alcohol, —COOH, —SO 3 H, —OSO 3 H or phosphonium group covalently bonded to the terminal position of R. Each —NH— in —[NH—(CH 2 ) q ] r —NH 2  is optionally N-alkylated or N,N-dialkylated and —NH 2  in —[NH—(CH 2 ) q ] r —NH 2  is optionally N-alkylated, N,N-dialkylated or N,N,N-trialkylated.   q is an integer from 2 to about 10 and r is an integer from 1 to about 5.   R 1  and R 1′  are independently —H, an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, or, taken together, are a C2–C5 substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group optionally comprising an amine linking group [—N + (R 1a )—].
 
Each R 1  is Structural Formula (I) is preferably —H.
   R 1a  is —H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl.       

     Also disclosed is a method of treating obesity in a subject by administering an effective amount of a compound represented by Structural Formula (I) and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/187,397, filed Jun. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,858,592, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/302,081, filedJun. 29, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/359,467, filedFeb. 22, 2002, The entire teachings of the above application(s) areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human obesity is a recognized health problem with approximatelyninety-seven million people considered clinically overweight in theUnited States. Various chemical approaches have been used for treatingobesity. In one such approach, a medicament which inhibits lipases isadministered to the obese patient. Lipases are key enzymes in thedigestive system which break down diglycerides and triglycerides intomonoglycerides and fatty acids. Diglycerides and triglycerides have ahigh caloric content but are not absorbed by the small intestine untilbroken down by the lipases. Therefore, inhibition of lipases within thedigestive system results in a reduction in the absorption of fat andconsequently a decrease in caloric uptake. XENICAL is an example of acommercially available lipase inhibitor that is used for treatingobesity.

There is still a need, however, for improved lipase inhibitors. Forexample, administration of lipase inhibitors results in stools with ahigh fat or oil content from the undigested diglycerides andtriglycerides. Leakage of oil from the stool is an unpleasant sideeffect that often occurs when stools have a high fat or oil content.This condition is referred to as “oily stool” or “leaky stool”. It hasbeen reported in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/166,453 that fat-bindingpolymers, when co-administered with lipase inhibitors, can bind with or“stabilize” the oil and thereby reduce or eliminate the leakage of oilfrom the stool. It would be desirable to develop a single compound whichis both a lipase inhibitor and a fat-binder. In addition, a lipaseinhibitor should be minimally absorbed by the intestines to preventsystemic side-effects. Other desirable features include ease and economyof manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel aryl boronic acids andderivatives thereof which are effective lipase inhibitors (Examples 11and 12). Many of these compounds are readily attached to fat-bindingpolymers comprising alcohol or diol functionalities by means of boronateester, boronate thioester and/or boronamide bonds. These bonds arebelieved to be hydrolyzed in vivo, thereby resulting in the delivery ofa lipase inhibitor and a fat-binding polymer to the gastrointestinaltract. Based on these discoveries, novel aryl boronic acids andderivatives thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these arylboronic acids and derivatives and methods of treating obesity with anovel aryl boronic acid or a derivative thereof are disclosed herein.

One embodiment of the present invention is a compound represented byStructural Formula (I):

Z and Z′ are independently —O—, —NH— or —S—. Preferably, Z and Z′ areboth —O—.

Ar is a substituted (e.g., monosubstituted or polysubstituted) orunsubstituted aryl group.

X is an electron withdrawing group.

R is a substituted or unsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbyl groupoptionally comprising one or more amine, ammonium, ether, thioether orphenylene linking groups and Y is —H, an amine, —[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂,halogen, —CF₃, thiol, ammonium, alcohol, —COOH, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H orphosphonium group covalently bonded to the terminal position of R.Preferably, when Y is —H and R is a straight chained hydrocarbyl group,then R has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 30 carbon atoms,(more preferably from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, even more preferably from 8to 30 carbon atoms and even more preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms).Each —NH— in —[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂ is optionally N-alkylated orN,N-dialkylated and —NH₂ in —[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂ is optionallyN-alkylated, N,N-dialkylated or N,N,N-trialkylated.

R₁ and R₁′ are independently —H, an aliphatic group, a substitutedaliphatic group, an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, or, takentogether, a C2–C5 substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group optionallycomprising an amine linking group [—N⁺(R^(1a))—]. Preferably, R₁ and R₁′in Structural Formula (I) are both —H.

R^(1a) is —H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl.

q is an integer from 2 to about 10 and r is an integer from 1 to aboutfive.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceuticalcomposition. The pharmaceutical composition comprises the compounddescribed above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an effectiveconcentration of the compound.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for removing fatfrom the gastrointestinal tract (or inhibiting uptake of fat in thegastrointestinal tract) of a subject in need of such treatment (e.g.,treating a subject for obesity). The method comprises the step ofadministering an effective amount of the compound described above to thesubject.

The aryl boronic acids and aryl boronic acid derivatives of the presentinvention are potent lipase inhibitors. Thus, they are effective for thetreatment of obesity. Moreover, many of these compounds can be attachedto fat-binding polymers. These boron functionalized polymers can also beused to treat obesity, but have the advantage of not causing the “oilystools” normally associated with lipase inhibitors. The aryl boronicacids and aryl boronic acid derivatives disclosed herein are thusprecursors to these improved polymer drugs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the synthesis of4-(14′-trimethylammonium-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)-3-fluorophenylboronicacid chloride (6).

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the synthesis of4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)-2,5-difluorophenylboronic acid(11).

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the synthesis of (neopentyl glycolato)4-(14′-trimethylammonium-3′-thia-1′-ketotridecyl)-2,5-difluorophenylboronateester chloride (14).

FIGS. 4A–4F are a compilation of structural formulas representingboronic acids of the present invention. R in FIG. 4 is a C12 straightchained alkyl group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described below with respect to aryl boronic acids andaryl boronate esters, i.e., wherein Z and Z′ are both —O—. It is to beunderstood that these descriptions apply to the correspondingboronamides and boronate thiesters, i.e., wherein one or both of Z andZ′ are —NH— or —S—.

Ar in Structural Formula (I) is substituted or unsubstituted. Ar is“substituted” when it comprises at least one substituent in addition tothe boronic acid group and the —X—R—Y group. Suitable substituents areas described below for aryl groups.

—X— is an electron withdrawing group. As used herein, an “electronwithdrawing group” is a substituent which results in a phenyl ring thathas less electron density when the group is present than when it isabsent. Electron withdrawing groups have a Hammet sigma value greaterthan one (see, for example, C. Hansch, A. Leo and D. Hoeckman,“Exploring QSAR Hydrophobic, Electronic and Steric Constants”, AmericanChemical Society (1995), pages 217–32) Examples of suitable values for Xinclude —CHZ-, —CZ₂-, —COO—, —CON(R^(1b))—, —CO— or —SO₂—. Othersuitable values of X include —S(O)— and —S(O)₂O—. Z is a halogen andR^(1b) is —H, alkyl or substituted alkyl (preferably —R—Y). In thecompounds of the present invention, Phenyl Ring A is preferablysubstituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups in addition to—X—. Suitable examples include halogens, —NO₂ and —CN; fluorine is apreferred example.

A “straight chained hydrocarbyl group” is an alkylene group, i.e.,—(CH₂)_(x)— where x is a positive integer (e.g., from 1 to about 30),preferably between 6 and about 30, more preferably between about 6 andabout 15. A “linking group” refers to a functional group which replacesa methylene in a straight chained hydrocarbyl. Examples of suitablelinking groups include an alkene, alkyne, phenylene, ether (—O—),thioether (—S—), amine [—N⁺(R^(a))—] or ammonium [—N⁺(R^(a)R^(b))—].R^(a) and R^(b) are independently —H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, phenyl,substituted phenyl, or, taken together with the nitrogen atom to whichthey are bonded, a non-aromatic, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group.Preferably, R^(a) and R^(b) are not —H. More preferably, R^(a) and R^(b)are both alkyl groups and even more preferably, both methyl. R^(a) andR^(b) can be the same or different, but are preferably the same.

The terms “terminal position” or “terminus” refer to the methylenecarbon of the straight chained hydrocarbyl group most distant from Ar.Substituents at the terminal position of a straight chained hydrocarbylgroup are referred to herein as “terminal substituents”. As noted above,a number of compounds of the present invention have an amine(—NR^(c)R^(d)) or ammonium (—N⁺R^(c)R^(d)R^(e)) group as a terminalsubstituent of the hydrocarbyl group represented by R. R^(c), R^(d) andR^(e) in an ammonium group are independently —H, alkyl, substitutedalkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or, taken together with the nitrogenatom to which they are bonded, a nitrogen-containing, non-aromaticheterocyclic group. Preferably, R^(c), R^(d) and R^(e) are not —H. Morepreferably, R^(c), R^(d) and R^(e) are all alkyl groups (i.e., atrialkylammonium group) and even more preferably, all methyl (i.e., atrimethylammonium group). R^(c), R^(d) and R^(e) can be the same ordifferent, but are preferably all the same.

In one example Y is selected such that YH is a small molecule polyamine(H—[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂) such as spermine, spermidine,1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane or 1,4-diaminobutane. Optionally,one or more of the secondary amine can optionally be N-alkylated orN,N-dialkylated; the primary amine is optionally N-alkylated,N,N-dialkylated or N,N,N-trialkylated.

A “substituted hydrocarbyl group” has one or more substituents bonded atone or more positions other than at the terminus. Suitable substituentsare those which do not significantly lower the lipase inhibiting abilityor fat binding ability of the polymer, for example, do not lower eitheractivity by more than a factor of about two. Examples of suitablesubstituents include C1–C3 straight chained or branched alkyl, C1–C3straight chained or branched haloalkyl, —OH, halogen (—Br, —Cl, —I and—F), —O(C1–C3 straight chain or branched alkyl) or —O(C1–C3 straightchain or branched haloalkyl).

In a preferred embodiment, the compound of the present invention isrepresented by Structural Formula (II):

Phenyl Ring A is substituted or unsubstituted. Phenyl Ring A is“substituted” when it comprises at least one substituent in addition tothe boronic acid group and the —X—R—Y group. Suitable substituents areas described below for aryl groups.

R, R₁, R′₁, X and Y in Structural Formula (II) are as described forStructural Formula (I). Preferably, Y—R—X— is para to —B(OR₁)(OR′₁).

In a more preferred embodiment, the compound of the present invention isrepresented by Structural Formula (III):

Phenyl Ring A, R and Y in Structural Formula (III) are as describedabove for Structural Formula (II). Phenyl Ring A is preferablysubstituted with zero, one or more independently selected electronwithdrawing groups represented by R₂.

R in Structural Formulas (II) and (III) is a substituted orunsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbyl group optionally comprisingone or more ether, thioether, phenylene, amine, or ammonium linkinggroups. Preferred linking groups for R in Structural Formulas (II) and(III) are ether or thioether. Alternatively, R in Structural Formulas(II) and (III) is —CH₂—O[—(CH₂)_(p)O]_(m)—(CH₂)_(p)— or—CH₂—S[—(CH₂)_(p)O]_(m)—(CH₂)_(p)—; p is 2 or 3; and m is an integerfrom 1–8.

Y in Structural Formulas (II) and (III) is preferably an amine orammonium group covalently bond to the terminal position of R, morepreferably a trialkylammonium group bonded to the terminal position of Rand even more preferably a trimethylammonium group bonded to theterminal position of R.

In a more preferred embodiment, the compound of the present invention isrepresented by Structural Formulas (IV) and (V):

Phenyl Ring A in Structural Formulas (IV) and (V) is as described forStructural Formulas (II)–(III).

Y in Structural Formulas (IV) and (V) is a trialkylammonium group.

n is an integer from about 6 to about 30, preferably from about 6 toabout 15.

Preferably in Structural Formulas (IV) and (V), Y is trimethylammonium,Phenyl Ring A is substituted with one or two fluorine groups and n is asdefined above. Examples of suitable substitution patterns for PhenylRing A include 3-fluoro and 2,5-difluoro, wherein the carbon bonded toboron is considered to be carbon one.

Also included in the present invention are boronate esters of theboronic acids represented by Structural Formulas (III)–(V). A boronateester is obtained by replacing one or both boronic acid hydrogen atomswith R₁, as described in Structural Formulas (I) and (II). It isbelieved that boronate esters are hydrolyzed in the gastrointestinaltract to form boronic acids, which then act as lipase inhibitors.

Also included in the present invention are the boronamides or boronatethioesters corresponding to the boronate esters described in theprevious paragraph. The boronamide or boronate thioester is obtained byindependently replacing one or both boronate ester oxygen atoms with —S—or —NH—.

As used herein, aliphatic groups include straight chained, branched orcyclic C1–C30 (preferably C1–C15) hydrocarbons which are completelysaturated or which contain one or more units of unsaturation. Preferredaliphatic groups are completely saturated and acyclic, i.e., straightchained or branched alkyl groups or alkylene groups. Suitablesubstituents for an aliphatic group are those which do not significantlylower the lipase inhibiting ability of the compound, for example, do notlower either activity by more than a factor of about two. Examplesinclude —OH, halogen (—Br, —Cl, —I and —F), —O(R′), —O—CO—(R′), —CN,—NO₂, —COOH, ═O, —NH₂, —NH(R′), —N(R′)₂, —COO(R′), —CONH₂, —CONH(R′),—CON(R′)₂, —SH and —S(R′). Each R′ is independently an alkyl group or anaryl group. A substituted aliphatic group can have more than onesubstituent.

Aryl groups include carbocyclic aromatic groups such as phenyl andnaphthyl, heteroaryl groups such as imidazolyl, thienyl, furanyl,pyridyl, pyrimidy, pyranyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, thiazole, oxazolyl andfused polycyclic aromatic ring systems in which a carbocyclic aromaticring or heteroaryl ring is fused to one or more other heteroaryl rings(e.g., benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, benzothiazole,benzooxazole, benzimidazole and quinolinyl). Suitable substituents foran aryl group are those which do not significantly lower the lipaseinhibiting ability of the compound, for example, do not lower eitheractivity by more than a factor of about two. Examples include alkyl,halogenated alkyl, —OH, halogen (—Br, —Cl, —I and —F), —O(R′),—O—CO—(R′), —CN, —NO₂, —COOH, —NH₂, —NH(R′), —N(R′)₂, —COO(R′), —CONH₂,—CONH(R′), —CON(R′)₂, —SH and —S(R′). Each R′ is independently an alkylgroup or an aryl group. A substituted aryl group can have more than onesubstituent.

Non-aromatic nitrogen-containing, heterocyclic rings are non-aromaticcarbocyclic rings which include at least one nitrogen atom and,optionally, one or more other heteroatoms such as oxygen or sulfur inthe ring. The ring can be five, six, seven or eight-membered. Examplesinclude morpholino, thiomorpholino, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl andpiperidinyl.

Also included in the present invention are pharmaceutically acceptablesalts of the disclosed compounds. For example, compounds which have acidfunctional groups can be present in the anionic, or conjugate base,form, in combination with a cation. Suitable cations include alkalineearth metal ions, such as sodium and potassium ions, alkaline earthions, such as calcium and magnesium ions, and unsubstituted andsubstituted (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary) ammonium ions.Compounds which have basic groups such as amines can be present in aprotonated form together with a pharmaceutically acceptable counteranion, such as chloride, bromide, acetate, formate, citrate, ascorbate,sulfate or phosphate. Similarly, ammonium groups comprise apharmaceutically acceptable counteranion. Boronic acid groups can reactwith anions such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, alkoxide orcarboxylate to form a salt such as —B⁻(OH)₃Na⁺, —B⁻(OH)₃K⁺,—B⁻(OH)₂(OCH₃)Na⁺, —B⁻(OH)₂(OCH₃)K⁺, —B⁻(OH)₂(OCOCH₃)Na⁺,—B⁻(OH)₂(OCOCH₃)K⁺, and the like.

A “subject” is preferably a mammal, such as a human, but can also be acompanion animal (e.g., dogs, cats, and the like), farm animals (e.g.,cows, sheep, pigs, horses, and the like) or laboratory animals (e.g.,rats, mice, guinea pigs, and the like) in need of treatment for obesity.

The compounds of the present invention are suitable as a medicament forpromoting weight reduction in subjects because they inhibit lipases inthe gastrointestinal tract. As such, they are administered in a mannersuitable for reaching the gastrointestinal tract during digestion. Theyare therefore preferably administered orally as soon as up to about onehour prior to a meal and as late as up to about one hour subsequent to ameal. Alternatives modes of administration are also possible, includingrectal, nasal, pulmonary and topical administration.

The compounds of the present invention are administered to inhibit ofuptake of fat in the gastrointestinal tract (or to promote removal offat from the gastrointestinal tract). Thus, they can be also beadvantageously used to in the treatment or one or more of the followingconditions: obesity, Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus,impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, coronary thrombosis, stroke,lipid syndromes, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia,sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagisitis, osteoarthritis, gout,cancers associated with weight gain, gallstones, kidney stones,pulmonary hypertension, infertility, cardiovascular disease, abovenormal weight, and above normal lipid levels; or where the subject wouldbenefit from reduced platelet adhesiveness, weight loss after pregnancy,lowered lipid levels, lowered uric acid levels, or lowered oxalatelevels. A subject with one or more of these conditions is said to be “inneed of treatment” with an agent that inhibits absorption of fat fromthe gastrointestinal tract.

The compounds can be administered to the subjects in conjunction with anacceptable pharmaceutical carrier as part of a pharmaceuticalcomposition for treatment of obesity. Formulations vary according to theroute of administration selected, but are typically capsules, tablets orpowder for oral administration. Solutions and emulsions are alsopossible. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers may contain inert ingredientswhich do not interact with the compound. Standard pharmaceuticalformulation techniques can be employed, such as those described inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton,Pa. Methods for encapsulating compositions (such as in a coating of hardgelatin or cyclodextran) are known in the art (Baker, et al.,“Controlled Release of Biological Active Agents”, John Wiley and Sons,1986).

An “effective amount” is the quantity of compound which results in agreater amount of weight reduction over a period of time during which asubject is being treated with the aryl boronic acid drug for obesitycompared with the corresponding time period in absence of suchtreatment. Typical dosages range from about 5 mg/day to about 10grams/day, preferably from about 5 mg/day to about 5 grams/day. Thecompound can be administered alone or in a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising the compound, an acceptable carrier or diluent and,optionally, one or more additional drugs, typically one or moreadditional drugs used for weight reduction (e.g., XENICAL or MERIDIA).The precise amount of drug being administered to a subject will bedetermined on an individual basis and will depend on, at least in part,the subject's individual characteristics, such as general health, age,sex, body weight and tolerance to drugs, and the degree to which thesubject is overweight and the amount of weight reduction sought.

An “effective concentration” is the concentration of compound present ina pharmaceutical composition which, when divided into a unit dosageform, provides an effective amount of the compound.

The aryl boronic acid compounds of the present invention can also bereacted to form boronate esters with pharmaceutically acceptablepolymers having free alcohol or diol groups and administered as apolymer drug. Reactions for forming boronate ester bonds are well knownin the art and include refluxing the boronic acid and diol in anappropriate solvent (e.g., alcohol, toluene, methylene chloride,tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)). Alternatively, anaryl boronic acid can be to a polymer having free alcohol or diol groupsby means of a transesterification reaction, as described in D. H. Kinderand M. M. Ames, Journal of Organic Chemistry 52:2452 (1987) and D. S.Matteson and R. Ray, Journal of American Chemical Society 102:7590(1980), the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference.

The boronate ester of these polymer drugs is believed to be hydrolyzedin the gastrointestinal tract to release the aryl boronic acid, whichcan then act to inhibit lipase enzymes. Preferably, the polymer is afat-binding polymer. After hydrolysis of the aryl boronate ester torelease the aryl boronic acid, the fat-binding polymer is then availableto absorb the diglyercides and triglycerides which remain undigested asa result of inhibition of the lipase enzymes by the released arylboronic acid. The undesired side-effect of “oily stools” is therebyminimized or eliminated through the use of these polymer drugs.“Fat-binding polymers” are polymers which absorb, bind or otherwiseassociate with fat thereby inhibiting (partially or completely) fatdigestion, hydrolysis, or absorption in the gastrointestinal tractand/or facilitate the removal of fat from the body prior to digestion.The fat-binding polymers generally comprise one or more fat-bindingregions. “Fat-binding regions” include a positively charged region and,optionally, a hydrophobic region, or a region which is both positivelycharged and hydrophobic. The fat-binding region has a positive chargewhen the region comprises an ionic group such as a quarternary amine oran atom, for example, the nitrogen of an amine, that possesses apositive charge under conditions present in the gastrointestinal tract.The attachment of artl boronic acid lipase inhibitors to fat-bindingpolymers and the use of these polymers as anti-obesity drugs aredescribed in the co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/302,221, entitled “Aryl Boronate Functionalized Polymers for TreatingObesity,” filed on Jun. 29, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/359,473, entitled “Aryl Boronate Functionalized Polymers forTreating Obesity,” filed Feb. 22, 2002. The entire teachings of thisapplication are incorporated herein by reference.

The preparation of representative phenyl boronic acid compounds isdescribed in Examples 1–10 and shown schematically in FIGS. 1–3. Theperson of ordinary skill in the art will be able to select suitablestarting materials to obtain the desired aryl boronic acid and, whencarrying out these reactions with different starting materials, tomodify reaction conditions, if necessary, using no more than routineexperimentation. For example, the 4-bromoacetophenone in FIG. 2(Compound 7) can be replaced with any suitable aryl compound substitutedwith bromine or iodine and acetyl. For example,2-Acetyl-5-bromothiophene is commercially available from the AldrichChemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis. The length of the hydrocarbyl group in thearyl boronic acids can be varied according to the length of the1,ω-alkanethioalcohol.

Representative boronic acids of the present invention that have beenprepared according to methods described in the examples are shown inFIG. 4.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples which isnot intended to be limiting in any way.

EXEMPLIFICATION Example 14-(14′-trimethylammonium-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)-3-fluorophenylboronicacid chloride (6)

The synthesis of Compound (6) is shown out schematically in FIG. 1. Adetailed description of the procedure is provided below.

Step 1. Synthesis of 4-acetyl-3-fluorophenylboronic acid (1).

An oven-dried, 3-liter, 3-necked, round-bottomed flask (fitted with anitrogen inlet, addition funnel, and overhead stirrer) was charged with50 grams (0.25 mole) of 4-cyano-3-fluorophenyl bromide. Anhydroustetrahydrofuran (200 milliliters) was added to the flask resulting in aclear solution. The solution was cooled to 0° C. using an ice bath. Atthis temperature, 125 milliliters of 3.0 M solution of CH₃MgBr in ether(1.5 equivalents, 0.375 mole) was added slowly to the reaction flaskusing an addition funnel. The reaction mixture was allowed to slowlywarm up to room temperature and was stirred for 48 hours. Thin layerchromatography (TLC) indicated the starting material was consumed. After48 hours, the reaction was cooled down to −78° C. using anisopropanol/dry ice bath. At −78° C., 50 milliliters of 10.0 M solutionof butyllithium in hexane (2.0 equivalents, 0.5 mole) was added to thereaction mixture with continuing stirring. An additional 400 millilitersof THF was added to ensure that reaction mixture was homogeneous and wasstirring well. The reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 3 hours.To the reaction mixture was added 170 milliliters of trimethylborate(6.0 equivalents, 1.5 mole) slowly using an addition funnel and thetemperature was maintained at −78° C. While stirring, the reactionmixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature overnight. Theprogress of the reaction was monitored by TLC. After cooling thereaction mixture to 0° C. (using an ice bath) the contents weretransferred into a 5 liter beaker. The flask was rinsed with 100milliliters of methanol and the washing was combined with the reactionmixture. To the reaction mixture, 500 milliliters of 1 N HCl was slowlyadded. Subsequently, the pH of the mixture was brought to 4 by theaddition of concentrated HCl. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3hours. The organic solvent was removed by rotary evaporator. Theconcentrated aqueous content was extracted with ether (250milliliter×6). The combined organic layer was washed with brine solution(200 milliliter×2) and was dried over MgSO₄. After filtration, ether wasremoved by rotary evaporator. The residue was recrystallized from hotwater yielding an off white solid. Yield: 22 grams (50%).

Step 2. Synthesis of 4-(2′-bromoacetyl)-3-fluorophenylboronic acid (2).

An oven-dried, 500-milliliter, 3-necked, round-bottomed flask wascharged with 5 grams (27.4 millimole) of 4-acetyl-3-fluorophenyl boronicacid and 25 milliliters of methanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. Thesolution was cooled to 0° C. using an ice bath. To this solution wasadded 0.2 milliliters (0.55 equivalents) of glacial acetic acid. In a100 milliliters Erlenmeyer flask was taken 1.27 milliliters (3.95 grams,24 millimole, 0.9 equivalents) of elemental bromine dissolved in 4milliliters of cold methanol. The bromine solution was added dropwise tothe above solution at 0° C. using an addition funnel. With the additionof Br₂, the solution slowly turned light orange and finally to darkorange when addition was complete. After about 5–6 hours, the progressof the reaction was monitored by NMR. Depending on the progress ofreaction, another 10–20 mole % of bromine was added after cooling thesolution to 0° C. Total reaction time was approximately 24 hours.

After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed using rotaryevaporator. The residue was dissolved in 200 milliliters of ethylacetate. It was washed with deionized water (50 milliliters×3) and withbrine (50 milliliters×2). The organic layer was collected and dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate for 1 hour. The solution was filtered and thesolvent was removed using rotary evaporator. The residue wasrecrystallized from hot ethyl acetate. Yield=7 grams (97%).

Step 3. Synthesis of4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)-3-fluorophenylboronic acid(3).

An oven-dried, 500-milliliter, three-necked, round-bottomed flask wascharged with 5 grams (19.15 millimole) of4-(2′-bromoacetyl)-3-fluorophenylboronic acid (2) and 50 milliliters ofanhydrous THF. The solution was flushed with N₂ for at least 30 minutes.To this solution was added 3.9 grams (19.15 millimole, 1 equivlalent) of11-mercaptoundecanol. While stirring under N₂, 6.62 milliliters (38.3millimole, 2 equivalents) of diisopropylethylamine was added slowly. Thereaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours undernitrogen atmosphere. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLCand NMR (after washing up the aliquot with 1 N HCl). If the reaction wasnot complete, additional (as required) 11-mercaptoundecanol was addedand the reaction was allowed to proceed for another 24 hours. Aftercompletion of the reaction, the solvent was evaporated. The residue wasdissolved in 200 milliliters of ethyl acetate and was washed with water(50 milliliters×3), 1 N HCl (50 milliliters×3) and with brine (50milliliters×2). The organic layer was dried over an anhydrous sodiumsulfate for 1 hour. After filtration, the solvent was removed by rotaryevaporator. The residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate. Yield: 5grams (72%).

Step 4. Synthesis of Neopentyl Glycol Protected4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)-3-fluorophenylboronic acid(4).

An oven-dried, 500-milliliter, 3-necked, round-bottomed flask wascharged with 5 grams (13 millimole) of 3 as prepared above. Addition of100 milliliters of anhydrous dichloromethane produced a dispersion.While stirring, 1.42 grams (13.65 millimoles, 1.05 equivalents) ofneopentylglycol was added to this dispersion. After few minutes a clearsolution was obtained. The stirred reaction mixture was heated toreflux. A chiller and a Dean Stark apparatus were used to remove thedichloromethane-water azeotrope. The heating continued for about 3hours.

At the end of reflux, the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to roomtemperature and the solvent was removed using a rotary evaporator.Anhydrous toluene (50 milliliters) was added to the residue and thetoluene was removed using a rotary evaporator. This toluene treatmentprocess was repeated once more. The residue was dissolved in 5milliliters of dichlormethane, and hexane was added to this solution(with stirring) until cloudiness appeared (about 150 milliliters). Thesolution was kept in the freezer for recrystallizaton. After few hoursthe product crystallized and was isolated by filtration. Yield=5.13grams (87%).

Step 5. Synthesis of neopentyl glycol protected4-(14′-bromo-3′-thia-1-ketotetradecyl)-3-fluorophenylboronic acid (5).

The reaction was carried out under N₂ atmosphere.

An oven-dried, 500-milliliter, 3-necked, round-bottomed flask wascharged with 5.13 grams (11.33 millimole) of the neopentyl glycolprotected boronic acid (4) and 50 milliliters of anhydrousdichloromethane under a nitrogen atmosphere. To this solution was added7.52 grams (22.67 millimole, 2 equivalents) of carbon tetrabromide. Theresulting solution was allowed to stir at 0° C. using an ice bath. Asolution of 5.95 grams (22.67 millimole, 2 equivalents) oftriphenylphosphine dissolved in 10 milliliters of anhydrousdichloromethane was added slowly to the reaction mixture using anaddition funnel. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. and wasallowed to slowly warm to room temperature. Total reaction time wasabout 24 hours. At the end of the reaction 20 milliliters of methanolwas added to the reaction mixture. After stirring for 1 hour, thesolvent was removed by rotary evaporator. The residue was treated with200 milliliters of diethyl ether and stirred for 30 minutes. The mixturewas filtered and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Theresidue was given another ether treatment in the above manner and thesolvent was removed. The resulting residue was flash chromatographedusing hexane/ethyl acetate (98/2) as the solvent system. After removalof the solvent the product was isolated as an off-white solid. Yield=4.3grams (74%).

Step 6. Synthesis of4-(14′-trimethylammonium-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)-3-fluorophenylboronicacid chloride (6).

A 100-milliliter, round-bottomed flask was charged with 4.3 grams (8.3millimole) of boronic acid derivative (5) and 40 milliliters of ethanol.To this solution was added 40 milliliters of aqueous trimethylaminesolution (40%, Aldrich). The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for24 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the ethanol was removed byrotary evaporator. The remaining aqueous solution was cooled to 0° C.and 180 milliliters of 1 N HCl was added slowly into the stirringsolution. If precipitation occurs, some methanol is added until a clearsolution forms. After stirring for 5 hours, the solution (turbid) wasextracted with chloroform (3×200 milliliters). Organic layers werecollected and dried over sodium sulfate. The chloroform was evaporatedand the residue was dissolved in methanol (20 milliliters). Sodiumchloride solution (10% w/w, 200 milliliters) was added to the methanolsolution and stirred for 1 hour. At this point, the organic solvent wasremoved using rotary evaporator and compound was extracted from aqueoussolution with chloroform (3×200 milliliters). Organic layers werecollected and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solventwas removed using rotary evaporator. The residue was added to 600milliliters of ether and the mixture was kept in the freezer for 3hours. The solvent was decanted to isolate the product. Yield=2 grams.

Example 2 Synthesis of2,5-difluoro-4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronic acid(11)

The synthesis of Compound (11) is shown out schematically in FIG. 2. Adetailed description of the procedure is provided below.

Step 1—Synthesis of 4-bromo-2,5-difluoroacetophenone (7)

Anhydrous aluminum chloride was mixed (5 grams, 37.5 millimoles, 2.4equivalents) with 1-bromo-2,5 difluorobenzene in a dry, round-bottomflask blanketed with nitrogen and fitted with a condenser. The mixturewas heated to 60° C. and acetyl chloride (1.7 milliliters, 23.3millimole, 1.5 equivalents) was added by syringe. The wet yellow solidchanged then into a scarlet solution and was heated at 90° C. for 1hour. The reaction mixture was poured onto 38 grams of ice, HCl wasadded (3 milliliters, 37% concentration) and the mixture was extractedwith ether. The crude material was dried over magnesium sulfate andevaporated down. The crude material was purified by columnchromatography or distilled. The product (1.2 grams, 31%) was obtainedas a yellow oil.

Step 2—Synthesis of Neopentyl Glycol Protected4-acetyl-2,5-difluorofluorophenylboronic acid (8).

Dichloro [(1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium (II)dichloromethane adduct (1.7 grams, 2.3 millimole, 5% mole) was added toa suspension of 4-bromo-2,5 difluoroacetophenone (7) (10.5 grams, 46.38millimole, 1 equivalents), bis(neopentyl glycolato)diboron (12.57 grams,55.65 millimole, 1.2 equivalents) and potassium acetate (13.66 grams,139.13 millimole, 3 equivalents) in anhydrous DMSO (100 milliliters).The suspension was heated to 80° C. under nitrogen for 1 hour (J. Org.Chem. 60:7508 (1995)). After 1 hour, TLC showed full conversion of thestarting material and the reaction mixture was allowed to cool down andextracted with toluene, washed three times with water and dried overmagnesium sulfate. Flash column chromatography was used to purify thecrude (4.2 grams, 32%).

Step 3—Synthesis of Neopentyl Glycol Protected4-(2′-bromoacetyl)-2,5-difluorophenylboronic acid (9)

The boronic ester (8) (4.1 grams, 14.93 millimole, 1 equivalent) wasdissolved in methylene chloride (50 milliliters) and cooled down to −10°C. Acetic acid (0.82 milliliters, 14.32 millimole, 1 equivalent) wasadded, followed by bromine (0.7 milliliters, 13.4 millimole, 0.9equivalents) and the reaction was warmed up to room temperature. Afterstirring for two hours the reaction mixture was diluted with moremethylene chloride and washed once with water and once with brine. Thecrude was dried over magnesium sulfate, evaporated down and used in thenext step without further purification.

Step 4—Synthesis of Neopentyl Glycol Protected2,5-difluoro-4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronic acid(10)

Crude Compound (9) (14.93 millimole) was dissolved in anhydrous methanol(50 milliliters) and nitrogen gas was bubbled into the solution for 20minutes to degas the mixture. 11-mercaptoundecanol (3.1 grams, 14.93millimole, 1 equivalent) was added to the reaction and the solution wasallowed to stir under nitrogen for five minutes before adding anhydrousdiisopropylamine (5.2 milliliters, 29.9 millimole, 2 equivalents). Thereaction was left to stir under nitrogen overnight and the crude wasworked up by evaporating the reaction mixture to dryness andre-dissolving it in a 10% mixture of THF in ethyl acetate (100milliliters). This organic layer was then washed with 200 milliliters ofwater and the aqueous layer was separated and washed with three newfractions of the same THF/ethyl acetate mixture (100 milliliters each).The crude organic layers were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate andevaporated down. Flash chromatography was used to purify the crude andan off white solid was obtained (3.5 grams, 50%).

Step 5—Synthesis of2,5-difluoro-4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronic acid(11).

De-protection of the neopentyl group in Compound (10) to give Compound(11) was carried out by dissolving Compound (10) in methanol and addinga few drops of HCl. After stirring for about an hour the crude productwas concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the final compound wasrecrystallized from hot ethyl acetate.

Example 3 Synthesis of2,5-difluoro-4-(13′-trimethylamonium-3′-thia-1′-ketotridecyl)phenyl(neopentylglycolato)boron chloride (14)

The synthesis of Compound (14) is shown schematically in FIG. 3. Adetailed description of the procedure is provided below.

Step 1—Synthesis of 10-bromodecyltrimethylammonium bromide

1,10-Dibromodecane (20 grams, 66.7 mmoles) and THF (100 milliliters)were placed in a 500-mL, three-necked flask. The solution was cooled to0° C. with an ice-water bath. Anhydrous trimethylamine (3 grams, 50.8mmoles) was added to the mixture by slowly bubbling trimethylamine gasfor about 15 minutes. Then the reaction mixture was allowed to warm toroom temperature and stirred at room temperature overnight. The solidmaterial was filtered and washed with THF (5×30 milliliters). Afterdrying in vacuo overnight, 12.5 grams (34.82 mmoles, 69% based on theamine used) of the product was obtained as a white solid.

Step 2—Synthesis of 10-mercaptodecy trimethylammonium bromide

10-Bromodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (10 grams, 27.9 mmoles) in 50 mLof methanol was placed in a 250-milliliter, three-necked flask. Themixture was degassed vigorously by bubbling nitrogen for 30 min.Potassium thioacetate (3.8 grams, 33.5 mmoles, 1.2 equivalents) wasadded to the reaction mixture. The mixture was heated at 50° C. for 12hours under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. with anice-water bath, degassed sodium hydroxide (50%, 2.7 grams, 33.5 mmoles,1.2 equivalents) was added, and the mixture was stirred for 1 h at roomtemperature. The mixture was cooled to 0° C., and degassed concentratedhydrochloride acid was added dropwise to achieve pH 2. Degassed methanol(100 milliliters) was added to the reaction mixture, followed by theaddition of 40 grams of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate wasfiltered off and washed with methanol. The methanol solution wasconcentrated to about 20 milliliters, and ether (300 milliliters) wasadded to the mixture. The flask was sealed and placed in a freezer.Product was crystallized out as a white solid. The product was filtered,washed with ether, and dried in vacuo. Product (7.5 grams, 24.0 mmoles,86%) was obtained as a white hydroscopic solid.

Step 3—Synthesis of2,5-difluoro-4-(13′-trimethylammonium-3′-thia-1′-ketotridecyl)fluorophenylboronicacid bromide

4-(2′-Bromoacetyl)-2,5-difluorophenyl (neopentyl glycolato) boron(Compound 9) (1 millimole) was dissolved in anhydrous methanol (10milliliters) and nitrogen gas was bubbled into the solution for 20minutes to degas the mixture. 10-mercaptodecyltrimethylammonium bromide(0.19 grams, 0.8 millimole, 0.8 equivalents) was added to the reactionand the solution was stirred under nitrogen for five minutes beforeadding anhydrous diisopropylamine (0.14 milliliters, 1 millimole, 1equivalent). The reaction was stirred under nitrogen overnight and,after concentration on a rotary evaporator, purified by preparativereversed phase PLC.

Example 4 Synthesis of4-(14′-trimethylammonium-3′-thia-1′-keto-tetradecyl)phenylboronic acidchloride

Step 1. Synthesis of 4-(2′-Bromoacetyl)phenylboronic acid.

An oven-dried, two liter, three-necked, round-bottomed flask was chargedwith 4-acetyl-phenylboronic acid (20 grams, 0.152 mole). While stirring,175 ml of THF were added to the reaction mixture, followed by 700 ml ofchloroform. To the resulting solution was added 5 ml of glacial aceticacid. A chloroform solution of bromine (prepared by dissolving 7 ml ofbromine in 30 ml of chloroform) was added slowly to the reaction mixtureat about 5° C. After the completion of the addition of bromine, thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred atroom temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was removed by rotaryevaporation and the residue was dissolved in 1 liter of ethyl acetate.The resulting solution was extracted with deionized water (3×200 ml) andbrine (2×100 ml). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate for 1 hour. The solution was then filtered and concentrated toabout ⅓ of its volume. The resulting solution was kept in a freezer tocrystallize the product. The solid was filtered to give an off whitesolid. Yield=16 grams

Step 2. 4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronic acid.

A 500-ml, three-necked, round-bottomed flask was charged with 15 gramsof 4-(2′-bromoacetyl)phenylboronic acid and 300 ml of anhydrous THF.While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, 12.26 grams of11-mercaptoundecanol were added to the reaction mixture, followed by32.35 ml of diisopropylethylamine. The reaction mixture was stirredunder a nitrogen atmosphere for 48 hours. After removing the solvent byrotary evaporation, the residue was dissolved in 500 ml of ethylacetate. The organic phase was washed with deionized water (2×200 ml),1N HCl (3×200 ml), deionized water (200 ml), and brine (200 ml). Thewashed organic layer was then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate for 15minutes. The solution was filtered and concentrated to one fourth of itsvolume. While stirring, hexane was added slowly to this solution untilpermanent cloudiness appeared. The solution was kept in the freezer tocrystallize the product. After filtration, the residue was dried undervacuum at room temperature yielding 17 grams of the product as anoff-white solid.

Step 3. Synthesis of (neopentylglycolato)4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronate ester.

An oven-dried, 500 ml, 3-necked, round-bottomed, flask was charged with5 grams of 4-(14′-hydroxy-3-thia-1-keto)tetradecyl phenylboronic acidand 100 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane. While stirring, 1 gram ofneopentylglycol was added and the reaction mixture was heated to refluxwith stirring. The heating continued for 3 hours with azeotropicdistillation of water. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to roomtemperature and the solvent was removed using a rotary evaporator.Anhydrous toluene (50 ml) was added to the residue and the toluene wasremoved using a rotary evaporator. This toluene treatment process wasrepeated once more. The residue was dissolved in 5 ml of dichloromethaneand hexane was added to this solution (with stirring) until cloudinessappeared. The solution was kept in the freezer for recrystallizaton. Theproduct was isolated by filtration, and upon drying, 4.8 grams of thecompound was obtained as an off-white solid.

Step 4. Synthesis of (neopentylglycolato)4-(14′-bromo-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl) phenylboronate ester.

An oven-dried, 500 ml, 3-necked, round-bottomed flask was charged with5.13 grams of the (neopentyl glycolato)4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronate ester and 50 mlof anhydrous dichloromethane. To this solution was added 7.52 grams ofcarbontetrabromide, and the resulting reaction mixture was allowed tostir at 0° C. using an ice bath. A solution of 5.95 grams oftriphenylphosphine dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane wasadded slowly to the reaction mixture using an addition funnel. Thereaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. and then allowed to warm to roomtemperature slowly. After 16 hours, 20 ml of methanol was added to thereaction mixture. After stirring for 1 hour, the solvent was removed byrotary evaporator. The residue was treated with 200 ml of diethyl etherand stirred for 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered and the solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure. The residue was again treated with etherand the solvent was removed. The resulting residue was flashchromatographed using hexane/ethyl acetate (98/2). After removal of thesolvent, the product was isolated as an off-white solid (yield=4.5grams).

Step 5.4-(14′-trimethylammonium-3′-thia-1′-keto-tetradecyl)phenylboronic acidchloride.

A 100 ml, round-bottomed, flask was charged with 500 mg of (neopentylglycolato)4-(14′-bromo-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronate esterand 5 ml of ethanol. To this solution was added 5 ml of 40% aqueoussolution of trimethylamine. The reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C.for 24 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removedunder reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in 5 ml of methanoland 20 ml 2N HCl. After stirring for 24 hours, the solution wasextracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 ml) to remove the neopentyl glycol.The aqueous solution was extracted with chloroform (3×50 ml). Thechloroform extracts were combined and dried over MgSO₄. Afterfiltration, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and theresidue was dried under vacuum to give 300 mg of a gummy solid.

Example 5 Synthesis of (neopentylglycolato)4-(14′-dimethylamino-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronateester

An oven-dried, 250 ml, 3-necked, round-bottomed flask was charged with2.5 grams of the (neopentylglycolato)4-(14′-bromo-3′-thia-1′-keto)tetradecyl phenylboronate ester(prepared as described in Example 4, step 4) and 25 ml of anhydroustetrahydrofuran (THF). To this mixture was added 8 ml of 2 Mdimethylamine in THF. After stirring at room temperature for 48 hours,the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was stirredwith 100 ml of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution for 1 hour and wasthen extracted with ethyl acetate (2×200 ml). After drying overanhydrous sodium sulfate, the solvent was removed under reduced pressureto yield 1.7 grams of the compound as a gummy solid.

Example 6 Synthesis of4-{14′(3″-chlorotrimethylammium)dimethylpropylammonium-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl}phenylboronicAcid Chloride

A 100 ml, round-bottomed, flask was charged with 700 mg of (neopentylglycolato)4-(14′-dimethylamino-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronateester (prepared as described in Example 5), 400 mg of3-bromopropyltrimethylammonium bromide and 10 ml of ethanol. Thereaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 24 hours. After cooling toroom temperature, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Theresidue was dissolved in 5 ml of methanol and 40 ml 2 N HCl. Afterstirring for 24 hours, the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate(2×100 ml) to remove neopentyl glycol. The acidified aqueous solutionwas kept in the refrigerator. The precipitated solid was then isolatedby removal of the solvent and dried under vacuum to yield 400 mg of alow melting solid.

Example 7 Synthesis of4-(14′-sulfato-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronic acid sodium salt

A 100 ml, round-bottomed flask was charged with 3 grams of4-(14′-hydroxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotetradecyl)phenylboronic acid (prepared asdescribed in Example 4, step 2) and 25 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF). To this solution was added 1.6 grams of sulfurtrioxide:DMFcomplex and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 24 hours. To the reaction mixture was added a solution 2grams of NaOH dissolved in 100 ml of water:methanol mixture (1:1) andstirred for 1 hour. The solvent was removed under pressure and theresidue was treated with 100 ml of methanol. After stirring for 1 hour,the reaction mixture was filtered. The filtrate was rotary evaporated todryness, yielding 1.5 grams of an off-white solid.

Example 8 Preparation of 4-(11′-hydroxyundecyl)carboxyphenylboronic acid

A mixture of 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid (1.0 grams), potassium hydrogencarbonate (2.01 g), 11-bromo-1-undecanol, and N,N-dimethylformamide (60mL) was heated at 60° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere for 18 hours. Afterthe heating period, the mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature.The mixture was then filtered and the filtrate was concentrated on arotary evaporator. The concentrated filtrate was diluted with ethylacetate (500 mL) and the ethyl acetate was washed successively withsaturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (3×300 mL), followed by saturatedaqueous sodium chloride (300 mL). After drying over sodium sulfate, theethyl acetate extract was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and driedunder reduced pressure to afford 2.2 grams of the desired product as alight yellow viscous oil that solidified upon standing to a whitepowder.

The following compounds were synthesized using similar procedures:

from 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid and iodooctadecane;

from 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid and docosyl methane sulfonate;

from bromooctadecane and (3-carboxy-5-nitrophenyl)boronic acid;

from 1-bromodecane and (3-carboxyphenyl)boronic acid;

from 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid and(4-chloropropyl)dimethyloctadecylammonium bromide; and

from 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid and pentethyleneglycol monotosylate.

Example 9 Synthesis of [4-(N,N-dioctadecylcarbamoyl)phenyl]boronic acid

Step 1. Synthesis of 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxa-2-borinane.

A mixture of 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid (5.0 grams) and 1,3-propanediol(2.5 grams) in toluene (300 mL) was refluxed with a Dean-Stark apparatusfor 6 hours. After the heating period the reaction solution wasconcentrated on a rotary evaporator and dried under reduced pressure toafford 6.39 grams of the desired product as a white solid.

Step 2. Synthesis of 2-(4-carbonylchloride)-1,3-dioxa-2-borinane.

To a solution of the above propane diol protected 4-carboxyphenylboronicacid (1.0 grams) in chloroform (5 mL) was added thionyl chloride (3.0mL) and dimethylformamide (100 microliters). The solution was heated toreflux for 2 hours. After the heating period, the reaction solution wasallowed to cool to room temperature and was concentrated on a rotaryevaporator under reduced pressure. To the residue was added chloroform(8 mL) and the resulting solution was concentrated on a rotaryevaporator. The addition of chloroform (8 mL) and the concentrating ofthe solution was repeated twice more. The crude material was dried undervacuum to afford 1.09 grams of the desired product as an off-whitesolid.

Step 3. Synthesis of [4-(N,N-dioctadecylcarbamoyl)phenyl]boronic acid.

To a solution of 2-(4-carbonylchloride)-1,3-dioxa-2-borinane (0.8 grams)in chloroform (30 mL) under nitrogen was added dioctadecylamine (1.93grams), triethylamine (1.0 mL), and chloroform (10 mL). The reactionmixture was allowed to stir overnight, after which it was diluted withchloroform (200 mL). The chloroform solution was washed in a separatoryfunnel successively with the following aqueous solutions: 10% HCl (3×100mL), saturated sodium bicarbonate (3×100 mL), and saturated sodiumchloride (100 mL). The chloroform extract was dried over sodium sulfate.2.41 grams of crude material was isolated after filtration andconcentration on a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure. The desiredproduct was purified via column chromatography over silica gel using amixture of ethyl acetate and hexane as eluent.

Example 10 Synthesis of4-(13′-carboxy-3′-thia-1′-ketotridecyl)phenylboronic acid

A 100-mL, three-necked flask was charged with 4-(2′-bromoacetyl)phenylboronic acid (0.95 g, 3.91 mmol) and 20 mL THF. The mixture was degassedby bubbling nitrogen through the reaction mixture for about 20 minutes.11-Mercaptoundecanoic acid (0.9 g, 4.1 mmol) was added to the reactionmixture with stirring under nitrogen. Diisopropylethylamine (1.52 g,2.05 mL, 11.8 mmol) was then added via a syringe over 5 minutes. Thereaction mixture was stirred for 72 hours under nitrogen at roomtemperature. The solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue waspartitioned between ethyl acetate (100 mL) and water (100 mL). Theorganic extract was washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid (3×100 mL), water(100 mL) and brine (100 mL). The organic extract was dried overmagnesium sulfate and then filtered. The filtrate was then concentratedin vacuo. The residue was dissolved in about 25 mL of hot ethyl acetate.When the mixture was cooled to room temperature, it was placed in afreezer. Product crystallized from the solution. The white crystallinematerial was filtered, washed with cold ethyl acetate, and dried invacuo. 0.93 g (2.45 mmol) of the pure product was obtained. Yield:62.5%.

Example 11 Phenyl Boronic Acids of the Present Invention InhibitLipolysis In Vitro

An in vitro assay of pancreatic lipase activity was used to measure theefficacy of lipase inhibitory compounds. Porcine pancreatic lipase (23units/milliliters) was incubated for 4 hours at 37° C. with 72 mMtriglyceride (as an olive oil/gum arabic emulsion) in 5.5 milliliters ofa 300 mM BES buffer, pH 7.0, containing 10 mM CaCl₂, 109 mM NaCl, and 8mM sodium taurocholate. The reaction was stopped by acidification withHCl and the lipids were extracted by the method disclosed in Folch, etal., J. Biol. Chem. 226:497 (1957) prior to analysis by HPLC. An aliquotof the chloroform layer was evaporated and reconstituted in hexane, andthe sample was analyzed on a Waters Alliance 2690 HPLC with a Sedex 55Evaporative Light Scattering detector utilizing a YMC PVA Sil 3×50millimeter column. The mobile phase consisted of hexane and methylt-butyl ether delivered in a linear gradient at a flow rate of 0.5milliliters/minute. External standards were utilized for quantitation oftriglycerides, diglycerides, and fatty acids, and the percent lipolysiswas determined. For evaluation of lipase inhibitor efficacy, compoundswere dissolved in DMSO or another appropriate solvent and added directlyto the assay mixture prior to incubation. Inhibition was determinedrelative to a control incubation and IC₅₀ values were calculated from aplot of % inhibition vs. inhibitor concentration. The results are shownin the Table. As can be seen, the boronic acid compounds of the presentinvention are effective lipase inhibitors.

Example 12 Phenyl Boronic Acids of the Present Invention InhibitLipolysis In Vivo

Compounds were evaluated in rats to determine their in vivo potency ininhibiting fat absorption through lipase inhibition. Rats wereacclimated to the facility for approximately 1 week in individualwire-bottom cages and provided a standard chow diet and water adlibitum. Rats were then randomly assigned to groups of 4. They weregavaged at (7–8 AM) with 4 milliliters olive oil emulsified with gumarabic, with or without drug following an 18 hour fast. Test compoundswere dissolved in DMSO or dionized water. Drug solutions were mixedthoroughly in the olive oil emulsion just prior to administration. After8 hours, rats were euthanized with CO₂ and the intestines were removed.The intestinal contents were harvested from the lower half of the smallintestine and the cecum. Contents were placed in separate, pre-weighed,15 milliliters conical screw cap tubes in a (dry ice/alcohol bath) tomaintain freezing temperature until the final freeze of all samples.Samples were stored at −80° C. until lyophilization.

Samples were freeze-dried and ground, then analyzed for triglyceride andfatty acid.

A 20 milligrams aliquot of each sample was weighed and transferred to a15 milliliters conical tube. 3 milliliters of hexane was added to eachtube then it was capped and vortexed for 15 seconds at high speed. 3milliliters of 1 N HCl was added then samples were subjected towrist-action shaking for 1 hour. Samples were then centrifuged for 5minutes at 3500 rpm and the hexane layer was collected. An aliquot ofthe hexane layer was diluted in hexane and analyzed for triglyceride,diglyceride and fatty acid by HPLC as described above.

The data was expressed as follows. The milligrams of intestinal contentsthat were extracted and the total number of milligrams collected wererecorded. The milligrams/milliliters values obtained from the HPLCanalysis were entered. The individual lipid components were calculatedand expressed as total milligrams recovered. Dose units are expressed asthe milligrams of drug per gram of oil administered to each rat. TheED₅₀'s were determined by extrapolating the dose value at half themaximum obtainable triglyceride recoverable in the assay. The resultsare shown in the Table. As can be seen, the boronic acid compounds ofthe present invention are effective lipase inhibitors in vivo.

TABLE Inhibition of in vitro and in vivo lipolysis In Vitro In Vivo InVivo Pancreatic Infusion Infusion Lipase Assay Assay in Assay in RatsIC₅₀ (μg/ Rats ED₅₀ Ed₅₀ (mg/kg Test g fat) (mg/g fat) or body wt) orCompound or estimate estimate estimate 4-(14′-trimethylammo- 6.4 8 60nium-3′-thia-1′-keto- tetradecyl)-phenyl- boronic acid bromide4-(14′-trimethylammo- 1.8 2 15 nium-3′-thia-1′-keto-tridecyl)-3-fluorophenyl- boronic acid bromide 4-(14′-triethylainmo- 1111 82.5 nium-3′-thia-1′-keto- tetradecyl)-3-phenyl- boronic acid bromide

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims.

1. A method of treating a subject afflicted with a condition selectedfrom the group consisting of Type II diabetes mellitus, impaired glucosetolerance, hypertension, coronary thrombosis, stroke, lipid syndromes,hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, hiatalhernia, reflux esophagisitis, osteoarthritis, gout, gallstones, kidneystones, pulmonary hypertension, infertility and cardiovascular disease,the method comprising the step of administering to the subject aneffective amount of a compound represented by the following structuralformula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Z and Z′ areindependently —O—, —NH— or —S—; Ar is a substituted or unsubstitutedaryl group; X is an electron withdrawing group; R is a substituted orunsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbyl group optionally comprisingone or more amine, ammonium, ether, thioether or phenylene linkinggroups; Y is —H, an amine, —[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂, halogen, —CF₃,thiol, ammonium, —OH, —COOH, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H or phosphonium groupcovalently bonded to the terminal position of R, provided that when Y is—H and R is a straight chained hydrocarbyl group, then R has from 1 to30 carbon atoms, and provided that each —NH— in —[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂is optionally N-alkylated or N,N-dialkylated and —NH₂ in—[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂ is optionally N-alkylated, N,N-dialkylated orN,N,N-trialkylated; q is an integer from 2 to about 10; r is an integerfrom 1 to about 5; R₁ and R₁′ are independently —H, an aliphatic group,a substituted aliphatic group, an aryl group or a substituted aryl groupor, taken together, are a C2–C5 substituted or unsubstituted alkylenegroup optionally comprising an amine linking group [—N⁺(R^(1a))—]; andR^(1a) is —H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl. 2.The method of claim 1 provided that when Y is —H and R is a straightchained hydrocarbyl group, then R has from 4 to 30 carbon atoms.
 3. Themethod of claim 2 wherein Z and Z′ are both —O—.
 4. The method of claim3 wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein R₁ and R₁′ are both —H.
 6. The method of claim5 wherein X is —CZ″₂—, -CHZ″-, —COO—, —CONR^(1b), —CO—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂O—or —SO₂—; R^(1b) is —H, alkyl or substituted alkyl; Z″ is a halogen and—X—R—Y is para to —B(OH)₂.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein X is —CZ″₂-,—CHZ″-, —COO—, —CONR^(1b)—, —CO—, or —SO₂—.
 8. The method of claim 6wherein X is —CO—, R is a substituted or unsubstituted straight chainedhydrocarbyl group comprising one or more amine or ammonium linkinggroups, and Y is —H, an amine or an ammonium group.
 9. The method ofclaim 8 wherein R is an unsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbyl groupcomprising one ammonium linking group; Y is —H; and Phenyl Ring A issubstituted with one or more groups R₂, wherein each R₂ is an electronwithdrawing group and is independently selected.
 10. A method claim 1,wherein the compound is represented by the following structural formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Phenyl Ring A issubstituted or unsubstituted; and R is a substituted or unsubstitutedstraight chained hydrocarbyl group optionally comprising one or moreether, thioether, phenylene, amine, or ammonium linking groups; and Y isan amine or ammonium group covalently bonded to the terminal position ofR.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein R is—CH₂—O[—(CH₂)_(p)O]_(m)—(CH₂)_(p)— or—CH₂—S[—(CH₂)_(p)O]_(m)—(CH₂)_(p)—; p is 2 or 3; and m is an integerfrom 1–8.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein R is a straight chainedhydrocarbyl group optionally comprising one or more ether or thioetherlinking groups.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein Phenyl Ring A isoptionally substituted with one or more groups R₂, wherein each R₂ is anelectron withdrawing group and is independently selected.
 14. The methodof claim 13 wherein R is an unsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbylgroup optionally comprising one ether or one thioether linking group andY is a trialkylammonium group.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein PhenylRing A is substituted with one or two groups R₂ and each R₂ is —F. 16.The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is represented by thefollowing structural formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y is atrialkylammonium group; n is an integer from about 6 to about 30; andPhenyl Ring A is substituted with one or two groups R₂, wherein each R₂is an electron withdrawing group and is independently selected.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 wherein Y is a trimethylammonium group and PhenylRing A is substituted with up to two fluorine groups.
 18. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the compound is represented by the following structuralformula:

wherein R₃ is —H or —F.
 19. A method of inhibiting the uptake of fat inthe gastrointestinal tract of a subject afflicted with a conditionselected from the group consisting of Type II diabetes mellitus,impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, coronary thrombosis, stroke,lipid syndromes, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia,sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagisitis, osteoarthritis, gout,cancers associated with weight gain, gallstones, kidney stones,pulmonary hypertension, infertility and cardiovascular disease, themethod comprising the step of administering to the subject an effectiveamount of a compound represented by the following structural formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Z and Z′ areindependently —O—, —NH— or —S—; Ar is a substituted or unsubstitutedaryl group; X is an electron withdrawing group; R is a substituted orunsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbyl group optionally comprisingone or more amine, ammonium, ether, thioether or phenylene linkinggroups; Y is —H, an amine, —[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂, halogen, —CF₃,thiol, ammonium, —OH, —COOH, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H or phosphonium groupcovalently bonded to the terminal position of R, provided that when Y is—H and R is a straight chained hydrocarbyl group, then R has from 1 to30 carbon atoms, and provided that each —NH— in —[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂is optionally N-alkylated or N,N-dialkylated and —NH₂ in—[NH—(CH₂)_(q)]_(r)—NH₂ is optionally N-alkylated, N,N-dialkylated orN,N,N-trialkylated; q is an integer from 2 to about 10; r is an integerfrom 1 to about 5; R₁ and R₁′ are independently —H, an aliphatic group,a substituted aliphatic group, an aryl group or a substituted aryl groupor, taken together, are a C2–C5 substituted or unsubstituted alkylenegroup optionally comprising an amine linking group [—N⁺(R^(1a))—]; andR^(1a) is —H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl.20. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is Type II diabetesmellitus.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is impairedglucose tolerence.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition ishypertension.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition iscoronary thrombosis.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition isstroke.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is a lipidsyndrome.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition ishyperglycemia.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition ishypertriglyceridemia.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditionis hyperlipidemia.
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition issleep apnea.
 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is hiatalhernia.
 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is refluxesophagisitis.
 32. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition isosteoarthritis.
 33. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition isgout.
 34. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is gallstones.35. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is kidney stones. 36.The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is pulmonery hypertension.37. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is infertility.
 38. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the condition is a cardiovascular disease.39. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is obese.